As of 2014, the annual Albierto Mexicano Telcel tournament is played on outdoor hard courts, as the tournament now leads up to the first Masters 1000 event of 2015 in Indian Wells in three weeks’ time. The tournament played in the city of Acapulco began in 1993 for the ATP tour before joining with the WTA in 2001.
Like the majority of the tennis 500 events, 32 men and 32 women are competing for this year’s title. So who are the top seeds in the ATP and WTA tour contending for the Abierto Mexicano Telcel title?
Men’s 2015 Contenders:
Kei Nishikori—Kei currently sits at world number five, the joint highest ranking of his career to date. He reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, losing to Stan Wawrinka before following that up with a superb tournament a week later: winning in Memphis, beating three Americans and then seeing off Kevin Anderson 6-4 6-4 in the final.
David Ferrer—Ferrer won the title here in Mexico on three consecutive occasions from 2010-2012 when the tournament was played on clay. Last week in Rio he reached the final, where he unexpectedly played Fabio Fognini after he knocked out Rafael Nadal in the previous round. Ferrer won the tournament in Rio yesterday, beating Fognini in the final in straight sets, dropping only one set throughout the entire tournament. The Spaniard is in fine form but will the quick transition from clay to hard court be a problem?
Grigor Dimitrov—Dimitrov impressively won here last year, beating Kevin Anderson in the final in three brutal sets. Other victims of the Bulgarian included Marcos Baghdatis, Ernests Gulbis and Britain’s Andy Murray. He will be hoping for more of the same as he looks to defend his crown.
Alexandr Dolgopolov—Two time semi-finalist Dolgopolov will be looking to kick start his 2015 as he looks to build some confidence and momentum on the hard courts of Mexico. It has been a poor start to the year for a man who has great potential and has been ranked as high as thirteenth in the world.
Ivo Karlovic—The big server from Croatia has had a mixed start to the New Year, with the highlight beating Novak Djokovic in Doha having been a set down. A loss at the hands of Nick Kyrgios in Australia was discouraging before losing to world number 156 Austin Krajicek in Memphis, equally as disappointing for the 6ft 11 giant. Ivo reached the final of Delray Beach on Sunday evening, beating Donald Young to win his first title in over two years.
Women’s 2015 Contenders:
Maria Sharapova—Maria undoubtedly has had an incredible start to the New Year: she won in Brisbane; made the final of the Australian Open; and has two wins in her two Fed Cup matches. The blonde Russian will be heavy favourite for this year’s title, however she has never played here before.
Sara Errani—Sara Errani has been in tremendous form as of late after her success at the Rio Open in Brazil on Sunday evening where she comfortably won the title. Her 2015 hard court record is a concern however and with a long run in Rio I wouldn’t be surprised should she exit the tournament early in Mexico.
Sloane Stephens—Former world number eleven Sloane Stephens has had a disappointing start to 2015 with two losses from four with both defeats to opponents ranked lower than the American. A tough draw and a first round exit in Australia to Azarenka was hard to take so Sloane will be hoping for a good run here to get her back on track.
Caroline Garcia—A semi-finalist here last year, Caroline Garcia seemed to enjoy playing in Mexico, beating second seed Bouchard before losing to the runner-up Christina Mchale in the last four. Caroline came up against Bouchard again this time at the last 32 stage in Australia, but the Canadian got her revenge as she sent the French woman packing.
My Views:
In the ATP I think the winner will come from the right hand side of the draw where David Ferrer, Grigor Dimitrov and Ivo Karlovic are placed. The men’s side is wide open this year with some big names not mentioned such as Bernard Tomic, Sam Groth, Kevin Anderson and Viktor Troicki.
In the women’s draw I can’t see past Maria Sharapova lifting the title. Sara Errani has a very kind draw, but as mentioned she could be fatigued from the Rio Open which finished only yesterday and the quick move from clay to hard court could be a factor.
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